Ethan sighed, his fingers drumming against the edge of the bed as he absorbed Lia's words. "So, it's mandatory, huh?" He glanced at her, noticing her hesitant expression. "And what happens if someone doesn't register?"
Lia tilted her head, thinking carefully. "It's rare, Master. Refusing to register raises suspicion. The kingdom uses the awakening records to monitor potential threats and allocate resources. If someone avoids it… well, they're either a rogue mage or someone with something to hide. Neither is looked upon kindly."
Ethan frowned, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Sounds like it's designed to keep everyone in line," he muttered, more to himself than Lia. The thought of being forced to reveal his summoning class—and the potential scrutiny that might follow—set his nerves on edge.
"It's not all bad," Lia offered gently, trying to lift the mood. "The academies really do help most people. They provide resources, training, and connections that would take years to build otherwise. For someone like you, Master… they'd probably assign you to a top-tier academy."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at her optimism. "You think so?"
"Of course!" Lia said with conviction. "You're already stronger than most adventurers, Master. With the right training, you'd be unstoppable."
Ethan smiled wryly. He couldn't bring himself to share her optimism. It was all just way too risky. It was probably best if he didn't go near any academies any time soon.
"What about the library? Shouldn't there be some books and such in the library?"
"Ahhh… libraries are only inside the academies, Master."
Ethan groaned and rubbed his temples, feeling a headache creeping in. "Of course they are," he muttered. "Let me guess—restricted to students, faculty, and the people they deem worthy?"
Lia gave him a sheepish nod. "Yes, Master. Most of the kingdom's magical knowledge is centralized in the academies' libraries. They don't just let anyone wander in. It's all… tightly controlled." She hesitated before adding, "But there might be smaller libraries in guild halls. They won't have advanced texts, but basic knowledge? That should be accessible."
Ethan leaned back against the wall, considering her words. "So, unless I somehow waltz into an academy or align myself with a guild, I'm stuck with scraps." His voice carried a bitter edge. "Figures. Knowledge is power, after all. They wouldn't just let people like me get their hands on it."
Lia looked thoughtful for a moment, then brightened slightly. "Master, there's another possibility. Sometimes magic books are sold in the black market. Only the common knowledge basic spells but sometimes even rarer ones show up."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued despite himself. "The black market, huh?" He leaned forward, his voice low and measured. "Sounds risky. But if there's even a chance to find something useful… let's go check some shops out. Do you know where we can find such shops?"
Lia nodded. The two of them then prepared to head out, Lia quickly finishing the cleaning up process. Much to Ethan's dismay she also insisted that she helped dress him up.
Ethan groaned as Lia fussed over his attire, her determination unwavering despite his protests. "Lia, I'm not a child. I can dress myself," he muttered, pulling at the stiff collar of the clean shirt she had picked for him.
"Master, appearances matter," Lia said firmly, her nimble fingers straightening the hem of his jacket. You need to look confident and… well, respectable."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with dry humor. "Respectable? We're about to ask shady people for illegal magic books. Not exactly a situation that screams 'polished and professional.'"
Lia's hazel eyes narrowed as she planted her hands on her hips. "Even shady people have standards, Master. If you look like a mess, they'll think you're desperate. Desperate people don't get good deals—or useful information."
"Ok agreed. But I can do this myself. You don't have to do all of this for me. We already talked about this."
"I know," she replied, her tone insistent but gentle. "That's exactly why I want to do all of this for you. Not because I have to, but because I want to."
Her sincerity caught Ethan off guard, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He glanced away, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Fine," he muttered. "But just this once, alright? Don't make a habit of dressing me up like I'm a doll or something."
Lia giggled softly, her expression lighting up. "Understood, Master." She gave his jacket one last tug, stepping back to survey her work. "There. Now you look presentable."
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't help the faint smirk that crept onto his face. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get moving before I change my mind."